Securable storage compartments

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a vehicle body and storage compartments that are located in the vehicle body. Each of the storage compartments has a cavity and a closure that selectively secures the cavity. A respective authorization input is associated with each of the storage compartments. The closure of each of the storage compartments is operable to unsecure the cavity upon receipt of the respective authorization input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/382,458, filed on Sep. 1, 2016, entitled “Securable StorageCompartments,” the content of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to storage devices and, in particular, securableand movable storage devices used with vehicles.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle that includes a vehicle bodyand storage compartments that are located in the vehicle body. Each ofthe storage compartments has a cavity and a closure that selectivelysecures the cavity. A respective authorization input is associated witheach of the storage compartments. The closure of each of the storagecompartments is operable to unsecure the cavity upon receipt of therespective authorization input.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a storage compartment. The storagecompartment includes a cavity, a closure that is operable to secure thecavity and unsecure the cavity in response to an authorization input,and a propulsion mechanism that is connected to the cavity toautonomously move the cavity.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a method that includes receiving afirst user request for access to a storage compartment that is locatedin a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is at a first location, and receivingcontents in the storage compartment from the first user. The method alsoincludes causing the vehicle to move autonomously from the firstlocation to a second location after receiving the contents, wherein thesecond location is away from the user. The method also includesreceiving a second user request for access to the storage compartment,wherein the user is located at a third location, and causing the vehicleto move autonomously from the second location to the third locationafter receiving the second user request for access to the storagecompartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle with storage compartments according tovarious exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a plurality of a plurality of vehicleshaving a plurality of storage compartments, which are in communicationwith a plurality of user devices and a central computer system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of exemplary hardware that may be used inconjunction with the vehicles and storage compartments shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart of an exemplary method.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart of an alternative method of a substep of themethod shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a vehicle 100 includes one or more securestorage compartments 110 for securely storing possessions of a passengeror other user of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is used or shared bymultiple different people that might otherwise be unassociated with eachother, for example, in a ridesharing usage model. By providing thesecure storage compartments 110, possessions may be stored in thevehicle 100 by a first user and remain secure in the vehicle fromsubsequent users or passengers of the vehicle 100 until the first userlater retrieves their possessions from the storage compartment 110. Invarious other applications, the storage compartments 110 may also beused or shared by multiple different people independent of anyparticular vehicle or groups of vehicles, or may be used by orassociated with a single person or defined group of people.

The vehicle 100 may be a passenger vehicle (e.g., configured totransport the user), a delivery vehicle (e.g., configured to transportpossessions of various users), or provide dual functions of passengerand delivery vehicles. The vehicle 100 may by driven (e.g., by a hireddriver or owner of the vehicle 100, or by the passenger) or self-driving(e.g., autonomous).

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage compartments 110 may be located inside arear (e.g., trunk) of a body 100 a of the vehicle 100 (i.e., “a vehiclebody”), or may be provided in other locations of the vehicle 100 (e.g.,in a passenger compartment, in a front storage compartment, on anexternal rack of the vehicle 100, and/or towed behind the vehicle 100).The storage compartments 110 may additionally be provided in differentsizes or capacities, for example, the storage compartments 110 arelarger than first alternative storage compartments 110′, which are inturn larger than alternative storage compartments 110″.

Each storage compartment 110 includes a cavity 111 (e.g., defined by ahousing, box, vessel, etc.) and a closure 112 (e.g., hinged or slidingdoor) that secures the cavity 111. The closure 112 is selectivelylockable (e.g., by including a mechanical and/or magnetic latch) toselectively secure the storage compartment 110 by preventing physicalaccess into the cavity 111. Alternatively, one closure 112 may beassociated with more than one cavity 111, so as to secure a plurality ofcavities 111. For example, the cavities 111 may be movable relative tothe closure 112 (e.g., via a conveyer, turntable, other moving devicesof the vehicle 100 or the compartments 110), such that only one cavity111 is accessible via the closure 112 at a given time.

Furthermore, each storage compartment 110 may be located in a primarycompartment defined by the body 100 a of the vehicle 100, such as apassenger compartment, trunk, frunk, etc., which may themselves befurther securable (e.g., the passenger compartment is itself securable(e.g., using a conventional vehicle key or key fob associated with thevehicle 100 for accessing and/or operating the vehicle 100), and thestorage compartment 110 located therein is further securable in themanners described herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, m-numbered vehicles 100 _(1-m) may each includen-numbered storage compartments 110 _(1-n), which may be incommunication with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via thecentral computer system 230 and/or o-numbered user electronic devices220 _(1-o). As such, the storage compartments may be operated (e.g.,locked/unlocked, secured/unsecured) by user electronic devices 220.

Each vehicle 100 includes one or more controllers 202, one or more inputdevices 204, one or more sensors 206, and one or more transceivers 208,which may be physically coupled to the vehicle 100 (e.g., part of aninfotainment system) or may be provided by another electronic deviceassociated with the vehicle 100 (e.g., a smartphone of a driver or ownerof the vehicle 100). The one or more controllers 202 are configured tocontrol or otherwise provide instructions for one or more operations ofthe vehicle 100, such as by operating a vehicle-end software program(e.g., for ridesharing, ride-hailing, delivery requesting, etc.). Theone or more input devices 204 are configured to receive inputs from thedriver or passengers of the vehicle 100 (e.g., via a touch screen toreceive touch inputs, a microphone to receive voice commands, a camerato observe gestures, fingerprint scanner, etc.). The one or more sensors206 are configured to observe or sense other characteristics of thevehicle 100 or its environment (e.g., global positioning or otherlocating sensors, accelerometers, cameras, etc.). The one or moretransceivers 208 are configured to send and/or receive various signals(e.g., wirelessly via cellular, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, near fieldcommunication, or other suitable wireless communication method) to/fromthe storage compartments 110, user electronic devices 220 (e.g.,smartphones or other portable electronic devices), and/or a centralcomputer system 230. A plurality of vehicles 100 may be considered tocooperatively form a transportation system.

Each storage compartment 110 of a plurality of n-numbered storagecompartments 110 in a given vehicle 100 includes, in addition to thecavity 111 and the closure 112, one or more controllers 213, one or moresensors 216, and one or more transceivers 218, which are physicallycoupled to the storage compartment 110. The storage compartment 110 mayadditionally include one or more input devices 214. The one or morecontrollers 213 are configured to control one or more operations of thestorage compartment 110, such as by operating the closure 112 to secureor unsecure (e.g., lock/unlock) the cavity 111 according to a softwareprogram. The one or more sensors 216 are configured to observe or sensevarious characteristics of the storage compartment 110 or itsenvironment (e.g., closure status, weight sensors, temperature sensors,humidity sensors accelerometers, global positioning or other locatingsensors, cameras, etc., as discussed in further detail below). The oneor more transceivers 218 are configured to send and/or receive varioussignals, such as to/from the vehicle 100, to/from the user electronicdevices 220, and/or the central computer system 230. The one or moreinput devices 214, where included, are configured to receive inputs fromthe user of the storage compartment 110 (e.g., via a touch screen toreceive touch inputs, a microphone to receive voice commands, a camerato observe gestures, fingerprint scanner, etc.). A plurality of storagecompartments 110 may be considered to cooperatively form a storagesystem, which may be part of an individual vehicle 100 or thetransportation system formed by the plurality of vehicles 100.

Each user electronic device 220 of a plurality of o-numbered userelectronic devices 220 includes one or more controllers 222, one or moreinput devices 224, one or more sensors 226, and one or more transceivers228. The one or more controllers 222 are configured to control one ormore operations of the user electronic device 220, such as by operatinga user-end software program (e.g., for ridesharing, ride-hailing,delivery requesting, etc.). The one or more input devices 224 areconfigured to receive inputs from the user of the user electronic device220 (e.g., via a touch screen to receive touch inputs, a microphone toreceive voice commands, a camera to observe gestures, fingerprintscanner, etc.). The one or more sensors 206 are configured to observe orsense other characteristics of the user electronic device 220 (e.g., thegeographic location of the user electronic device 220). The one or moretransceivers 228 are configured to send and/or receive various signalssuch as to/from the vehicle 100, the storage compartments 110, and/orthe central computer system 230. Each user is able to request (e.g.,reserve, summon, hail, etc.) one or more of the vehicles 100, one ormore of the storage compartments 110, or one or more both via the userelectronic device 220 of the user (e.g., owned or otherwise associatedwith the user). In making such a request, the user, may, for examplerequest that the vehicle 100 and/or storage compartment 110 move to afirst geographic location (e.g., to pick up the user as a passengerand/or objects of the user to be delivered) and thereafter be moved to asecond geographic location (e.g., via a route between the first andsecond geographic locations).

The central computer system 230 is in communication with the vehicle100, the storage compartments 110, and/or the user electronic devices220. The central computer system 230 may, for example, operate aback-end software program (e.g., for ridesharing, ride-hailing, deliveryrequesting, etc.), which works in conjunction with the vehicle-end andthe user-software programs to facilitate users requesting the vehicles100 and/or the storage compartments 110. The central computer system 230may also facilitate other functions, such as transactions, geographictracking, authorizing access, etc. It should be noted that various thevarious functions described below may be performed in consolidatedand/or distributed manners between the vehicles 100, the storagecompartments 110, the user electronic devices 220, and/or the centralcomputer system 230.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary hardware configuration that may be used toimplement the various systems disclosed herein, including the variouscontrollers 202, 213, 222 and/or the central computer system 230. Acontroller 300 may include or otherwise be in communication with aprocessor 310, a memory 320, a storage device 330, one or more inputdevices 340 (e.g., the various sensors and/or transceivers describedpreviously), and one/or more output devices 350 (e.g., transceivers,audio output, and/or displays). The controller 300 may include a bus 360or a similar device to interconnect the components for communication.The processor 310 is operable to execute computer program instructionsand perform operations described by the computer program instructions.As an example, the processor 310 may be a conventional device such as acentral processing unit. The memory 320 may be a volatile, high-speed,short-term information storage device such as a random-access memorymodule. The storage device 330 may be a non-volatile information storagedevice such as a hard drive or a solid-state drive.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-2, as referenced above, the closure 112 isselectively controlled (e.g., locked or unlocked) to prevent or providephysical access to the cavity 111 thereof. More particularly, thecompartment controller 213 is configured to lock or unlock the closure112 upon confirmation of authorized access.

Authorized access is confirmed by receipt of an authorization input. Theauthorization input is a unique input, which is changed for eachsubsequent user and/or each subsequent usage instance of the storagecompartment 110. The authorization input is associated with the storagecompartment 110, such that subsequent operation (e.g., unsecuring) ofthe storage compartment 110 requires providing the authorization input.The authorization input may, for example, be a user-entered code (e.g.,pin code, password, gesture sequence, etc.), a digital key (e.g.,passcode, electronic signal, or token communicated to the storagecompartment 110 by the portable electronic input device 116′), or anidentity signature of the user (e.g., a biometric, such as afingerprint, facial recognition, voice recognition, etc.) or a signatureassociated the user's electronic device 220 (e.g., by the user beinglogged in to the user-end software program).

Upon subsequently providing the authorization input, the closure 112 isoperated (e.g., to lock or unlock). The authorization input may bereceived directly by the storage compartment 110, or indirectly via thevehicle 100, the user electronic device 220, and/or the central computersystem 230 using the various input devices, sensors, and/or transceiversthereof (as described above). It should be noted that a form of theauthorization input may change after receipt by the vehicle 100, theuser electronic device 220, and/or the central computer system 230,which then provide the authorization input as another authorizationsignal to the storage compartment 110.

As a result, multiple storage compartments 110 in a single vehicle maybe simultaneously used by different users, but are not accessible byeach other user. For example, when a first storage compartment isoperable (e.g., unsecurable, or unlockable) by a first user electronicdevice 220 and a second storage compartment is operable by a second userelectronic device 220, the first storage compartment 110 is not alsooperable by the second user electronic device 220 and the second storagecompartment 110 is not also operable by the first user electronic device220. Stated differently, the storage compartment 110 is not operable ata given time by two different user electronic devices 220, which areotherwise unassociated with each other (e.g., not sharing a shared oraffiliated accounts or login credentials).

The authorization input may be provided actively or received passively.When provided actively, the user takes action to provide theauthorization input, such as by entering the authorization code,triggering sending of the digital key, touching a fingerprint sensor,moving into proximity of a camera, and/or providing a voice input.

When provided passively, the user takes no dedicated action to providethe authorization input, but rather one or more of the various inputdevices, sensors, and/or transceivers are configured to automaticallysend, receive, and/or observe the authorization input. For example, theuser electronic device 220 may communicate the digital key or itsidentity when in proximity to the vehicle 100 and/or the storagecompartment 110. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 and/or the storagecompartment 110 may identify the user electronic device 220 being inproximity to the vehicle 100 and/or the storage compartment 110 (e.g.,by receiving an identifier broadcast from the user electronic device220). Still further, a camera of the vehicle 100 or the storagecompartment 110 may passively observe passengers of the vehicle 100 toidentify the user with facial recognition. In these examples, theauthorization input may be passively provided and/or observed using thevehicle-end and/or user-end ridesharing or delivery software program.This passive providing of the authorization input may also allow thestorage compartment 110 to be operated (e.g., by unlocking the closure112) in advance of the vehicle 100 reaching the user, or otherwisewithout notice to the user.

While authorized access is granted via the authorized input, authorizedaccess may be expanded or restricted in various additional manners. Forexample, authorized access may be expanded by creating one or moreadditional authorization inputs (e.g., subservient authorization inputs)that are also associated with the storage compartment 110 for a givenuser or usage instance. For example, the subservient authorization inputmay be provided to other user devices associated with the user (e.g.,having a shared account, affiliated accounts, shared login credentials,such as for a family member), when delivering contents of the storagecompartment 110 to another user (e.g., a recipient), or to provideinspection access (e.g., for airport security). Furthermore, access mayalso be provided by an access override via the central computer system230 (e.g., if the user is unable to provide the authorization input, orthe authorization input is not ultimately receivable or transferable tothe storage compartment 110).

Authorized access may also be limited in various manners. For exampleauthorized access may be limited by further authorization criteria, suchas location (e.g., geo-fencing), time of day, and/or a usage duration(e.g., corresponding to a delivery time and/or location) of the storagecompartment 110. These additional authorization criteria may bedetermined by the various controllers and/or sensors of the vehicle 100,the storage compartment, or the user electronic device 220 (e.g., aglobal positioning system).

Further security measures may be utilized to address unauthorized accessto the storage compartment or attempts therefor. For example, afterunsuccessful attempts to provide the proper authorization input, accessmay be prevented for a lockout period, until a replacement authorizationinput is created (e.g., by the central computer system 230) and thenprovided by the user, or until an access override is provided (e.g.,upon confirming the identity of and/or authorization for the personattempting to access the storage compartment 110). Further, the storagecompartment 110 may detect forced, unauthorized access to the storagecompartment 110. An identifying record may be made of the personattempting to access or having forced open the storage compartment 110,such as by acquiring, storing, and/or sending fingerprint data, apicture, an audio recording of the person, and/or a corresponding alertto the user.

The storage compartment 110 may include various additional functionalityand related systems or components. As discussed in further detail below,various storage compartments 110 may be removable from the vehicle 100,move autonomously, provide heating/cooling/insulation, control humidity,assess contents, and/or provide tracking.

The storage compartments 110 may be fixed or removable from the vehicle100. Storage compartments 110 that are removable and additionallyphysically securable to the vehicle 100 (e.g., using a selectivelyoperable locking mechanism). Among other advantages, the storagecompartments 110 that are removable allow for better time utilization ofthe vehicle 100 and transfer of the storage compartments 110, includingtheir contents, independent of the vehicle 100. For example, the storagecompartment 110 may be left by the vehicle 100 at a user-definedlocation, so as to securely keep or deliver the contents thereof to theuser or other recipient at user specified locations. The vehicle 100 isthereafter usable by other users or for other purposes, and the storagecompartment 110 may be later picked up by the same vehicle 100 oranother vehicle 100. The storage compartment 110 may be removed by theuser, another person, and/or equipment associated with operation of thevehicle 100 (e.g., a driver and/or manually or automatically operatedlifting and removal device), another person or equipment associated witha drop off location (e.g., an attendant at a service station and/ormanually or automatically operated lifting and removal device), or bythe storage compartment 110 itself (e.g., if self-propelled as describedbelow).

In another example, the storage compartment 110 may be left temporarilyin a secure holding area of an intermediate user destination, such as ata shopping mall. The storage compartment 110, and its contents, therebyremain in close proximity to the user, while the vehicle 100 isthereafter usable by other users or for other purposes. When requestedby the user (e.g., based on a reservation or later request), the storagecompartment 110 is then picked up at the holding area and the user ispicked up at the user destination by the same vehicle 100 or anothervehicle 100.

In a still further example, the vehicle 100 transports and leaves thestorage compartment 110, including the user contents, at a remotelocation, such as a vehicle service station. The vehicle 100 isthereafter usable by other users or for other purposes. When requestedby the user (e.g., based on a reservation or later request), the vehicle100 or another vehicle 100 picks up and transports the storagecompartment 110 to the user at a passenger pickup location or a deliverylocation. The storage compartment 110 may be picked up or loaded by theuser, another person, and/or equipment associated with operation of thevehicle 100 (e.g., a driver and/or manually or automatically operatedlifting and removal device), another person or equipment associated witha temporary holding (e.g., an attendant at a service station and/ormanually or automatically operated lifting and removal device), or bythe storage compartment 110 itself (e.g., if self-propelled as describedbelow).

In yet another example, the storage compartments 110, including thosewith various auxiliary functions, are stored at a secure repository,such as a vehicle service station. When a storage compartment isrequested by the user with certain storage requirements (e.g., capacitysuch as size/weight, environmental controls such asheating/cooling/humidity, etc.), the appropriate storage compartment isloaded and secured into the vehicle 100 and brought to the user.

According to still further embodiments, one or more of the storagecompartments 110 are self-propelled and/or move autonomously (e.g., areself-navigating, or are autonomously movable devices). The storagecompartments 110 that are self-propelled and/or move autonomously allowthe storage compartments 110 to follow the user, move independently ofthe user to rendezvous with the user at different locations, and/ordeliver contents to the user without the user moving to the vehicle 100.

Storage compartments 110′″ that are self-propelled may includes apropulsion mechanism. One example of a propulsion mechanism includes,for example, a power supply 115 and a motor 117 for driving wheels 119of the storage compartments 110′″ or for driving other motive components(e.g., legs, tracks, etc.). The storage compartment 110′″ receivesmovement instructions via the input device 214 and/or the transceiver218, which are executed by the controller 212 according to softwareprogramming. The power supply 115 may, for example, be a battery that ischarged by the vehicle 100, or at a service station or other charginglocation. The sensors 216 of the storage compartment are additionallyconfigured for directional navigation (e.g., via a global positioningsystem thereof, and related geographic or building mapping) and forenvironmental navigation (e.g., cameras, sonar, and other sensors forevaluating the changing conditions, such as moving people or vehicles).Storage compartments 110′″ that follow the user may, for example,additionally include sensors 216 for identifying and following arelative location of a beacon (e.g., provided by the user electronicdevice 220 or dedicated transmitter) of the user. The storagecompartment 110″″ may move itself to/from the vehicle 100, for example,to automatically load/unload contents thereof into/out of the vehicle100, thereby improving accessibility for those unable (e.g., thosephysically unable or otherwise occupied) to move objects into/out of thevehicle 100, or functioning as an automated delivery device.

Storage compartments 110 may additionally be configured to provide aconditioned storage environment, for example, by heating, cooling,controlling humidity, and/or thermally insulating contents thereof. Thestorage compartment 110″ may include a Peltier or other thermoelectricdevice 150, or may receive conditioned air from the vehicle 100, alongwith appropriate sensors and controls (e.g., a thermostat and/orhumidistat) for controlling an internal temperature and/or humidity ofthe storage compartment 110. Such storage compartments 110 mayadditionally include insulation to prevent heat loss or heat gain and/orbe sealed to prevent moisture loss or intrusion. Storage compartments110 having heating, cooling, and/or thermal insulating capabilities may,for example, be used for storing and/or delivering groceries or otherthermally sensitive goods. Storage compartments 110 having suchenvironmental condition equipment may be identified to the user via theuser-end software program and be specifically requestable by the user.

Storage compartments 110 may also be configured to assess contents invarious manners for preventing closure of the storage compartment 110,preventing movement of the vehicle 100, and/or record keeping (e.g.,chain of custody). As noted above, the sensors 216 of the storagecompartment 110 may include sensors for detection and/or assessingweight, movement, temperature, chemical composition, and/or appearanceof the contents. Weight may be assessed using a load cell or otherweight sensor, and the determined weight may be used to determinewhether the contents are still present in the cavity 111, have changed,and/or exceed a weight capability of the storage compartment 110 (e.g.,if self-propelled). Movement may be assessed using an accelerometer,camera, or other motion detection device, and detected movement be usedto prevent closure of the storage compartment 110 and/or movement of thevehicle 100 if the contents are determined to be a living organism.Temperature may be assessed, for example, using a temperature sensor,and detected temperature may be used to ensure contents (e.g., food) aremaintained at an appropriate temperature. Chemical composition may beassessed using various types of chemical sensors, and detected chemistrymay be used to prevent closure of the storage compartment 110 and/ormovement of the vehicle 100 if the contents are determined to bedangerous (e.g., explosive) and/or nefarious (e.g., illegal drugs). Thevisual appearance of the contents may be assessed using one or morevisual cameras, infrared cameras, and/or X-ray scanners, and thedetermined appearance may be used to identify the contents or provide analert as to possible types of contents (e.g., if used for airportsecurity).

Records of the contents and/or access to the contents (e.g.,opening/closing) may be kept, so as to ensure the contents aremaintained without change (e.g., if provided to airport or othersecurity checkpoint), to identify and/or alert the owner of contentsinadvertently left in the storage compartment, inventory tracking, etc.

The storage compartment 110 may instead or additionally be configured toprovide location tracking. In one example, the sensors 216 of thestorage compartment 110 include a global or other positioning system toidentify its location, while the transceiver 218 sends locationinformation to the user (e.g., via a cellular network) or otherrecipient. In another example, the storage compartment 110 insteadrelies on the sensors 206 of the vehicle 100 or the sensors 226 of theuser electronic device 220 to determine the current location of thestorage compartment 110 to identify the storage compartment 110, suchidentity and location being sent to the user electronic device 220 orother recipient and/or tracked by the central computer system 230. Inyet another example, the storage compartment 110 may be identified byanother device (e.g., optical scanner, or receiver) at a known location(e.g., a service station), which then sends the identity of the storagecompartment 110 and the known location information to the user, otherrecipient, and/or the central computer system 230.

Instead of or in addition to the storage compartments 110, the vehicle100 may instead include one or more accessibility devices 140, such as awheelchair, motorized scooter, etc. The user may request the vehicle 100and/or the accessibility device via the user electronic device 220operating the user-end software program. The accessibility device may,for example, be a passive device, which is not itself able tocommunicate with the vehicle 100, the user electronic device 220, or thecentral computer system 230. Alternatively, the accessibility device mayinclude appropriate electronics (e.g., controllers, input devices,sensors, and/or transceivers) to be reserved and subsequently operatedin the manner described above for the storage compartment 110 (e.g.,requiring an authorization input to be operated). The accessibilitydevice may also be self-propelled and self-navigating (e.g.,autonomous), so as to be deliverable to the user in closer proximity tothe user than the vehicle 100 (e.g., along sidewalks and/or insidebuildings).

Alternative to storage compartments 110 being requestable by the user,the storage compartments 110 may be utilized in other usage or ownershipmodels. For example, the storage compartments 110 and/or the vehicle 100may be owned by a user, in which case, the storage compartment 110 mayincorporate one or more of the various features discussed above (e.g.,self-moving, heating/cooling, securable, location tracking, etc.). Thestorage compartments 110 may also be rented by the user for an extendedperiod of time (e.g., as luggage for a trip) in which case the storagecompartments 110 may also incorporate various features discussed above(e.g., self-moving, securable, location tracking, etc.). The storagecompartments 110 and/or the vehicle 100 may be used as a deliveryservice for a vendor, such as a restaurant delivering food to variousdifferent customers with separately secured storage compartments 110 inone or more vehicles.

The vehicles 100, the storage compartments 110, and/or the userelectronic devices 220 are used according to various methods for storingand/or transporting users' contents, as well as for transportingpassengers, which are implemented using software programs (e.g., theuser-end, vehicle-end, and back-end software programs referenced above).As discussed in further detail below, the software programs allow usersto request (e.g., reserve, summons, hail, etc.) the vehicle 100 and/orthe storage compartment 110 to locations based on passenger requirements(e.g., number of available seats in the vehicle 100), and/or storagerequirements (e.g., size and/or other auxiliary features of availablestorage compartments 110).

According to the method shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, in a firststep S402, first instructions are received from a first user for avehicle and/or storage compartment to be in a first location. Theinstructions may originate or be sent by the first user (User₁) as arequest (e.g., reservation, summoning, hailing, etc.) using the userelectronic device 220, and received by the first vehicle 100 ₁ (e.g., anelectronic device of the driver). The instructions may additionallyidentify a second location and/or routing information to or along whichthe vehicle 100 ₁ and/or the first storage compartment 110 ₁ are to bemoved. The second location or routing information may instead bereceived in subsequent instructions. The instructions may additionallyinclude passenger and/or storage requirements, for example, specifyingthe number of passengers (if any, or if solely for contents delivery)and specifying the quantity, size, auxiliary requirements, etc. of therequested storage compartments 110).

For example, the user may submit a request via the user electronicdevice 220, the request is broadcast to a plurality of the vehicles 100via the central computer system 230, and a first of the vehicles 100 ₁accepts the request and, thereby, receives the instructions.Alternatively, the request may be assigned by the central computersystem 230 to the first of the vehicles 100 ₁. In a still furtheralternative, the user may view available vehicles 100 _(1-m) with theirpassenger and storage capacities, which may be filtered by the useraccording to location/route, passenger, and storage requirements, andselect an available vehicle 100 meeting or nearly meeting suchrequirements.

In a second step S404, the first vehicle 100 ₁ and/or the first storagecompartment 110 ₁ are moved to the first location according to the firstinstructions. It should be noted that when the user requests only thestorage compartment 110 (e.g., requests a delivery), the vehicle 100 bywhich the storage compartment 110 is moved may be irrelevant to theuser.

In a third step S406, the first storage compartment 110 ₁ receives firstcontents of the first user therein, and the storage compartment 110 issecured. For example, the closure 112 is locked. The third step S406 mayoccur after the first step S402 and the second step S404. However, thefirst step S402 and the second step S404 may be omitted. For example,the user may already be a passenger of the first vehicle 100 ₁containing the storage compartment 110 ₁, and then become a user of thefirst storage compartment 110 ₁ (e.g., by placing contents therein, andsecuring the storage compartment 110 ₁).

In a fourth step S408, a first unique authorization input is associatedwith the first storage compartment 110 ₁. The unique authorization inputmay, as described, be a user-defined code, an automatically generatedtoken, or an identity (e.g., a biometric of the user, or a signature ofthe user electronic device 220). The authorization input may be createdprior to or substantially coincident with the use of the storagecompartment 110 (e.g., between submitting the request for andsubsequently securing the storage compartment 110), but is associatedwith the storage compartment 110 substantially coincident with the usethereof. By associating the authorization input with the first storagecompartment 110 ₁ coincident with its use, the storage compartment 110 ₁may be subsequently unsecured (e.g., opened) providing the authorizationinput associated therewith, or with a subservient authorization input oran override, as discussed above.

In a fifth step S410, the first vehicle 100 ₁ and/or the storagecompartment 110 ₁ are moved to a second location. The first storagecompartment 110 ₁ may be moved by the first vehicle 100 ₁.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the fifth step S410 includes movingthe storage compartment 110 with another of the vehicles 100 _(2-m). Ina first substep S410 a of step S410, the first vehicle 100 ₁ transportsthe first storage compartment 110 ₁, which remains secure, to atemporary storage or holding area, which may be of a user destination ora vehicle service station, as described above. In a second substep S410b, instructions are received to transport the storage compartment to thesecond location (e.g., according to a previously-scheduled reservationor in response to a current request of the user). In a third substepS410 c, another of the vehicles 100 _(2-m) picks up the first storagecompartment 110 ₁, and transports the storage compartment 110 ₁ to thesecond location.

Referring back to FIG. 4A, in a sixth step S412, the authorization inputassociated with the first storage compartment 110 ₁ is received, and thestorage compartment 110 ₁ is unsecured in response to receipt of theauthorization input. As noted above, the authorization input may beprovided by the user to and received by one or more of the various inputdevices, sensors, and/or transceivers of the vehicle 100, the storagecompartment 110, and/or the user electronic device 220.

In a seventh step S414, steps S402 to S412 are repeated for users(Users_(2-o)), which may include the first user, of additional storagecompartments 110 _(2-n) of the first vehicle 100 ₁. The seventh stepS414 is performed for the additional storage compartments 110 in amanner that does not conflict with steps S402 to S412 for the firststorage compartment 110 ₁. For example, the seventh step S414 may beperformed, while the first storage compartment 110 ₁ remains secure withcontents of the first user therein, but while the first vehicle 100 ₁ isnot actively transporting the first user (User₁) as a passenger and/ornot missing a timed delivery of the contents of the first storagecompartment 110 ₁. That is, contents of one user (User₁) secured in thefirst storage compartment 110 ₁ may remain in the first vehicle 100 ₁,while the first vehicle 100 ₁ is being used by another user(User_(2-o)).

In an eighth step S416, steps S402 to S414 are repeated for subsequentusers (Users_(1-o)), which may include any previous users, of the firststorage compartment 110 ₁ and the additional storage compartments 110_(2-n) of the first vehicle 100 ₁. Thus, the storage compartments 110_(1-n) are reused sequentially by different users (Users_(1-o)) havingdifferent authorization inputs associated with each storage compartment110 _(1-n) for such subsequent uses. The eighth step S416 is performedin a manner that does not conflict with steps S402 to S414 (e.g., by notusing storage compartments 110 _(1-n) that are already secure, notcausing conflicting delivery/dropoff/pickup times, etc.).

In a ninth step S418, steps S402 to S416 are repeated for users(Users_(1-o)), which may include any previous user, of storagecompartments of additional vehicles 100 _(2-m). Thus, the vehicles 100_(1-m), along with their storage compartments 110 _(1-n), may be reusedby subsequent users (Users_(1-o)). The ninth step S418 is performed in amanner that does not conflict with steps S402 to S416 (e.g., by notsending vehicles 100 that are already transporting other passengers, notcausing conflicting delivery/dropoff/pickup times, etc.).

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body; andstorage compartments that are located in the vehicle body, each of thestorage compartments having a cavity and a closure that selectivelysecures the cavity, wherein a respective authorization input isassociated with each of the storage compartments, wherein the closure ofeach of the storage compartments is operable to secure the cavity by arespective user and subsequently unsecure the cavity upon receipt of therespective authorization input from the respective user, and wherein thevehicle is a passenger vehicle.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein therespective authorization input is a code.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the respective authorization input is a digital key.
 4. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the respective authorization input isreceived passively.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the respectiveauthorization input is received from a user electronic device.
 6. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the respective authorization input for eachof the storage compartments is changed for a subsequent user.
 7. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the storage compartments are removable fromand securable to the vehicle body.
 8. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe storage compartments are fixed to the vehicle body.
 9. The vehicleof claim 1, wherein the vehicle is operable to navigate autonomously toa user location in response to a user request for access to the storagecompartments.
 10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehiclebody defines a primary compartment that is a passenger compartment fortransporting users of the storage compartments.
 11. The vehicle of claim10, wherein the storage compartments are located in the primarycompartment.
 12. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising acontroller, wherein the controller is configured to receive one or morefirst requests from a first user for transport of the first user withthe vehicle and use of a first storage compartment of the storagecompartments, the first user being able to unsecure the cavity of thefirst storage compartment with the respective authorization inputassociated therewith.
 13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein thecontroller is configured to receive one or more second requests from asecond user for transport of the second user with the vehicle and use ofa second storage compartment of the storage compartments, the seconduser being able to unsecure the cavity of the second storage compartmentwith the respective authorization input associated therewith; andwherein the first user is unable to unsecure the cavity of the secondstorage compartment, and the second user is unable to unsecure thecavity of the first storage compartment.
 14. The vehicle according toclaim 12, wherein the controller is one of physically coupled to thevehicle or another electronic device associated with the vehicle.
 15. Astorage compartment, comprising: a cavity; a closure that is operable tosecure the cavity and unsecure the cavity in response to anauthorization input; and a propulsion mechanism that is connected to thecavity to autonomously move the cavity; wherein the storage compartmentis configured to communicate with passenger vehicles to which thestorage compartment is physically securable.
 16. The storage compartmentof claim 15, wherein the propulsion mechanism causes movement of thecavity from a first location to a second location in response to a userrequest.
 17. The storage compartment of claim 16, wherein the firstlocation is in a first vehicle of the passenger vehicles, and the cavityis connectable to the first vehicle.
 18. The storage compartment ofclaim 17, wherein the second location is in a second vehicle of thepassenger vehicles.
 19. The storage compartment of claim 15, wherein thepropulsion mechanism causes movement of the cavity based on movement ofa user to follow the user.
 20. The storage compartment according toclaim 15, wherein the storage compartment is configured to communicatewith the passenger vehicles to receive the authorization input.
 21. Amethod comprising: receiving a first user request from a first user foraccess to a first storage compartment that is located in a vehicle,wherein the vehicle is at a first location; receiving first contents inthe storage compartment from the first user; causing the vehicle to moveautonomously from the first location to a second location afterreceiving the contents, wherein the second location is away from thefirst user; receiving a second user request for access to the firststorage compartment, wherein the first user is located at a thirdlocation; causing the vehicle to move autonomously from the secondlocation to the third location after receiving the second user requestfor access to the storage compartment; receiving a fourth user requestfrom a second user for access to a second storage compartment that islocated in the vehicle; receiving second contents in the second storagecompartment from the second user; and receiving a fifth user requestfrom the second user for access to the second storage compartment;wherein the first storage compartment is not accessible by the seconduser, the second compartment is not accessible by the first user, andthe vehicle is a passenger vehicle for transporting the first user andthe second user.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:associating a first authorization input with the first storagecompartment, and associating a second authorization input with thesecond storage compartment.
 23. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: securing the first storage compartment subsequent toreceiving the first contents, and securing the second storagecompartment subsequent to receiving the second contents; and unsecuringthe first storage compartment upon receipt of the first authorizationinput, and unsecuring the second storage compartment upon receipt of thesecond authorization input.
 24. The method according to claim 21,further comprising transporting the first user with the vehicle at afirst time, and transporting the second user with the vehicle at asecond time.